Who is Known as the Father of Blue Revolution?

The Blue Revolution refers to the significant growth of aquaculture and fisheries to increase fish production. It is an essential part of the efforts to ensure food security worldwide. Dr. Hiralal Chaudhary is regarded as the Father of the Blue Revolution for his remarkable contributions to fish farming techniques. In this article, we will know more about the “Father of Blue Revolution.”

What is Blue Revolution?

The Blue Revolution is a movement to boost fish and aquatic product production through sustainable aquaculture. Launched in India during the 1980s under the 7th Fiver-Year Plan, it aims to modernize fisheries, enhance incomes and promote entrepreneurship. The initiative also focuses on involving economically weaker sections in fishing and adopting advanced technologies for sustainable growth.

Father of Blue Revolution

The Father of Blue Revolution is Dr. Hiralal Chaudhary, an Indian fisheries scientist. He introduced the technique of induced breeding in fish, revolutionizing aquaculture. His work boosted fish production, ensuring food security and livelihoods worldwide. This achievement led to the Blue Revolution, a major movement to enhance fish farming through scientific methods.

Basic Details of Dr. Hiralal Chaudhari

• Birth date: 21^st November 1921
• Birthplace: Kubajpur, Sylhet, Assam, British India
• Known for: Father of Blue Revolution
• Fields: Zoology, Biology, Fisheries Science, Fisheries Management
• Died: 12^th September 2014 at Kolkata, West Bengal

Early Life and Educational Life of Hiralal Chaudhary

Hiralal Chaudhary was born on November 21, 1921, in Kubajpur, Sylhet (now in Bangladesh). His father, Girish Chandra Chaudhary, was a civil engineer and his mother was Soroshibala Chaudhari. A brilliant student, he completed his education in Calcutta (now Kolkata), earning a BSc in 1941 and an MSc in Zoology in 1943. Later, he pursued advanced training in the USA, obtaining an MS in Fisheries Management from Auburn University in 1955 and a PhD from the University of Calcutta in 1961.

Career in Fisheries

After completing his MSc, Chaudhary began teaching but lost his job during India’s Partition. He joined the Central Inland Fisheries Research Institute (CIFRI) in 1948, where he started his transformative work in fish breeding and pond management. His career included roles as a researcher, teacher and advisor in countries like Myanmar, Malaysia and the Philippines. He retired in 1993 but continued contributing as a visiting professor and advisor.

Revolutionizing Fish Breeding

Dr. Chaudhary is best known for developing the technique of induced breeding in fish. This method involves injecting pituitary hormones into fish to stimulate reproduction. His breakthrough came in 1956 when he successfully applied this technique to Indian carp species like rohu, catla and mrigal. This innovation solved the problem of seasonal fish breeding and enabled year-round seed production, boosting fish farming.

He also created hybrids of major and minor carp species, improving fish varieties for aquaculture. His methods were adopted globally, benefiting fish farming in countries like Fiji, Sudan, Myanmar and the Philippines.

Honors and Awards presented to Father of Blue Revolution

Dr. Hiralal Chaudhary, Father of Blue Revolution has received several honors and awards which are as follows:

• Chandrakala Hora Memorial Gold Medal in1960
• Rafi Ahmed Kidwai Award
• Gamma Sigma Delta Award
• Golden Key Award of the Auburn University, USA
• World Aquaculture Award in 1994
• Asiatic Society Award in 2002
• Honorary D.Sc by Central Institute of Fisheries Education, Mumbai
• Chair in Fisheries in the name of Hiralal Chaudhary by the University of Calcutta

Legacy of Dr. Hirala Chaudhary

Dr. Hiralal Chaudhary’s legacy as the “Father of Blue Revolution” continues to inspire generations of scientists, researchers and innovators. His journey, from keen observation to meticulous research, culminated in a victory that echoed well beyond the realm of scientific domains.